ISTANBUL

Farmers on Tuesday blocked at least five highways in southwestern France as protests continued against cattle culling and the EU-Mercosur trade deal.

French farmers' protest continued with blockades on various highways across southwestern France, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

Authorities reportedly expect further protests in the coming hours.

Alongside roads, farmers also blocked a railway in the Haute-Garonne department.

They have been protesting for several days over the government’s policy of systematically culling cattle herds on detection of nodular dermatitis, also known as lumpy skin disease.

The farmers are also expressing their discontent with the trade agreement between the EU and the South American bloc of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay (Mercosur).